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Center Joel Embiid (21) will be leading the Philadelphia 76ers into action when the team hosts Milwaukee on Christmas.(Photo: Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

After Santa Claus delivers his presents to 76ers fans, will Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons do the same?

The 76ers will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day as part of the 2019-20 schedule released by the National Basketball Association on Monday.

Tip-off for Christmas will be 2:30 p.m. It marks the first time Philadelphia hosted a game on the holiday since 1988 when they beat Washington, 125-110.

The 76ers will open the season at home against the Boston Celtics in a nationally television game. Newest 76er Al Horford, a five-time All-Star, will face his former team in the matchup.

Other highlights of the schedule:

Former 76er Jimmy Butler makes his return with the Miami Heat on Nov. 23.

Defending champion Toronto will come to Philly on Dec. 8 while the LeBron James-and-Anthony Davis-led Los Angeles Lakes come to town on Jan. 25 followed by Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 28.

Zion Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, JJ Redick and the New Orleans Pelicans will make their lone Philadelphia appearance on Dec. 13.

The 76ers will play a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee in Brooklyn against the Nets on Jan. 20 with tip set for 3 p.m.

Kawahi Leonard, Paul George and the rest of the Los Angeles Clippers be in Philly on Feb. 11 while the Houston Rockets with James Harden and Russell Westbrook will play in town on March 31.

The regular-season schedule finishes on April 15 against Charlotte.

The 76ers will be on national television 24 times, including six appearances on ABC, tying the Lakers for most in the league.

Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post and The Daily Journal, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a Courier Post subscription.